Antitorpedo shield



March 9,1943. w, w. MOUNT 2,313,664

ANTI TORPEDO SHIELD Filed Novl 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Marchi 9, 1943.

Y W. W. MOUNT ANTI-TORPEDO SHIELD Filed Nov. 19, i942 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Z9 K w3 37 55x j? fj if 35 7 50 25 5 ,5

INVENTOR W. Mou/VT ATTORNEY `and combinations Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT' oFFic ANTITORPEDO SHIELD Wadsworth W. Mount, Summit, N. J. Application November 19, 1942, Serial No. 468,111 13 Claims. (Cl. 114-240). This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in anti-torpedo shields.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities claims.

The invention consists in the novel constructions, arrangements, combinationsand improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved anti-torpedo shield which may be towed by a vessel to which it is designed to aii'ord protection throughout the length and depth of the vessel; which will i'ollow a course substantially paralleling that of the vessel at all times; which will automatically change course in response to a change in course of the vessel so as to maintain the same parallel course relationship at all times; which will automatically correct its course to that of the vessel if deflected therefrom; which is adapted to be towed by a system of springline cables in spaced relation to the towing 4vessel and at any desired practical distance therefrom set by the length and weight of the cables so as to be substantially unaffected by wave action and by pitching and rolling of `the ship and so that sudden shocks such as are caused by pitching and-tossing of the ship will be absorbed by the cables ratherthan taken up by the ship or the shield; which is of suiiicient strength to explode, deflect, stop or foul a torpedo before that same topedo can strike the towing vessel; which is of suilicient size to protect the vessel throughout its length and depth without danger of fouling the vessels propellers by the towing cables; which may be quickly cast olf by the towing vessel without becoming a menace to navigation after it has served its purpose of protecting the vessel against the surprise element in a torpedo attack; and, which offers relatively little resistance to towing.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view in plan of a typical and illustrative embodiment of this invention, as applied to the safeguarding of a marine vessel; y

Fig. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic view in front pointed out in the appended elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the relative depths of .vessel and antitorpedo shields;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view` in side elevation of an anti-torpedo shield such as is depicted in Fig. l, parts of the shield structure being broken away so as to show details ci its laminated construction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vview in plan of the shield depicted in Fig. 3, showing details of the towing and steering devices;

Fig. 5 is a view in section taken along the lin'e 5 5 of Fig. 3 showing details of the construction of the shield; i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary and somewhat enlarged view of a constructionai detail of the shield oi Fig. 5:

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of another embodiment of the anti-torpedo shield of the invention; and,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment of Fig. 'I taken along the line i--t of Fig. 7.

In general, in accordance with this invention there is provided a dirigible, buoyant, longitudinally rigid shield of relatively narrow beam, but of a length and depth preferably not less than the length and draft, respectively, of the vessel to which it is designed to afford protection.

'I'he embodied shield is suitably fashioned,

proportioned and dimensioned water-borne it will assume and in a vertically upright substantially awash position at all times. Hence, when positioned in so that when suitably spaced relation to and on either side or a vessel, the shield will serve as a barrier against which a torpedo directed at the side of the vessel will strike, the shield being of suiiicient strength as to explode, stop, deflect or foul the torpedov before it reaches the vessel.

The shield, as embodied, may be of wholly rigid construction or may have a flexible, Asemi-rigid., or other suitable form oi.' lower structure providing a protective structure for the vessels hull.

Rudder means are incorporated in the embodied shield structure for steering the shield in response to a teering eilort transmitted thereto from the vesse correct the course of the latter and speedily retend to remain t nected to the rudder so that as the vessel proceeds on a normal straight course, the shield will be caused to follow alongside the vessel in substantially parallel course relationship. However, upon a change in course of the vessel or shield, the distribution of load between the various cables of the system will become such as to actuate amaca-iof one inch by four inch planks in edge joined relationship.

In forming the shield member I3, the planks I1 may be coated with a cold setting, waterproof resin adhesive, preferably one which sets under a relatively low pressure. With such an adhesive, the laminae can be adhesively bonded to each other into a substantially unitary structure possessing superior strength and capable of being immersed in sea water for long periods of time without deterioration. l

In assembling the laminae, the wood grain of the twoinner layers runs diagonally of the shield member in opposite directions and the wood grain of the two outer layers run horizontally so as to obtain a cross-grained relationship. Nails I8, or

other suitable fastening means, are preferably employed for joining the several layers to each other,

` during assembly, for providing the necessary presthe rudder means in proper sense and magnitude and cause the shield to turn relative to or with the vessel so as to maintain or restore the parallel course relationship.

The various cables of the system are preferably releasably anchored to the ship so vthat they all may be quickly cast on from `the vessel and will sink. Weights maybeattached to the cables at their ends to facilitate their sinking so l Athat the shield with itsvcables will not foul 'the ship. It will be understood that the foregoing gen-- eral description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and vezmlanatory but are not restrictive of the invention.

Referring now more particularly tothe embodment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the accompanying drawings, buoyant shield structures I0 are positioned on either side of and in spaced parallel relation to the keel of a sure to set the adhesive and for holding the lamina'e together until the adhesive has set.

Means are provided for maintaining the shield structure Il in an upright position when water borne. As here embodied,`a keel member Il of heavy metal is secured to the bottom ofthe shield member I3 with which it is coextensive. The

mass of themember I4 is preferably suillcient to overcome the normal buoyancy, if any, of the shield member Il, per se, so that in the absence of any other buoyancy providing structure, the shieldstructure would sink.

Means are provided for buoying the shield structure I0 in the water so that in its normal water-borne position it will iloat vertically with its top substantially awash. The embodied buoy- .ancy means may be in the yform of a hollow spar secured to the top of the shield member I3 and coextensive therewith or may comprise a series of individual watertight buoyancy chambers setake such other form of hollow buoyancy device towing vessel II. They form a protective barrier 1 therefor throughout the length and depth of th vessel.'

Each of the shield to the vessel I I by a cable system by .which towingl cured to the sides of the shield member or may as will, when punctured and filled with water,

cause the shield structure to sink. As here emstructures I0 is connected and steering of the shield structurels effected.'

It will be understood that each cable system performs the same function for its shield structure and the systems diner which they are rigged. A description of one shield structure and. its cable system is therefore -deemed to be suilicient to enable those skilled in the art tounderstand the construction of either, bearing in mind the minor obvious differences in cable rigging necessary for corresponding operation of the port and starboard shield structures.

only in the manner in bodied, a pair of float members I8 and 2l are securedto the shield structure III at-its top, one

- on either side of the shield member I3 so as to form therewith .a pair of watertight buoyancy chambers 22 and 23.- Bolts 2|- are passed through suitable openings in the float members I9 and 2li v and shield member I3 and serve to hold the iloat and shield members in firm watertight engagement.

The float members I9 and 20 as here embodied are of similar contour and of a length substan- Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, each shield structure Il as here embodied, comprises a shield member I3 of laminated construction.

The shield member I3, as embodied,.is preferably fashioned from material, such, for example, as wood which can be fabricated easily into a strong substantially rigid structure capable of .impeding and preferably, stopping, deilecting,

exploding or fouling a torpedo. As here embodied, it comprises a series of laminae I6 of Wood or other suitable fibrous material, the several laminae being' in cross-grained relation to each other.

The laminae I6, as here embodied, respectively comprise wood planks I'I of suitable width and thickness. A shieldemember of four inch thick-l ness, for example, may be formed of four layers tially coextensive with that of the shield mem-V ber I3. Each is preferably contoured in any suitable fashlon tore and aft so as to minimize resistance to movement through the water. As here embodied, each is fashioned of metal, pref- -.erably onehaving corrosion resistant properties,

and is of sufcient thickness and strength to withstand rupture under the normal conditions of surface. It is apparent, however, that if the float sections be ruptured, as by a torpedo explosion, the buoyancy chambers 22`and 23 will ll with resulting loss of buoyancy so that the shield structure, if cast olf from the towing vessel, will sink and not become a menace to navigation or give rise to the possibility of fouling the towing vessels screws.

Means are provided on the shield structure for fending the shield structure as a whole away from its towing vessel when alongside. The embodied fending means may be of metal, cork or wood and may be round, streamlined or of any other the float section I9.

` shape or material best suited for the purpose. As

here embodied, fender members 24 are provided `l at suitably spaced points longitudinally and vertically of the shield structure. Each of the fender members 24 is preferably constituted by a at the stern of the shield structure upon posts 23 extending from the shield member I3. The rudder 25 is preferably coextensive in depth with the shield member I3 and is provided at its top with a rudder bar 21 which is connected to a tiller member 23 by a pair of cables 29 respectively connecting the corresponding ends of the rudder bar-and tiller member.

' The tiller member 23 is pivotally mounted and anchored midway of its end upon the shieldv v, of rudder actuating cables 32 and 33 con-neet the vesselI I with each shield structure.

Means are provided for adjusting the cables 3|, 32 and 33 separately as to length, for locking all of the cables to the vessel while under way and for quickly releasing the cables from the vessel so that the shield structure may be cast adrift if the need arise. The embodied adjusting, locking and releasing means preferably comprises one or more Winches and as here embodied comprises a multiple winch unit 34 for winding and unwinding each of cables 3|, 32 and 33 separately, for locking all threecables while under way and for releasing the cables quickly if the need arise.

thereof tothe outboard end of the tiller member. minli The cables 3|, 32 oganci 33 provide a system ofI spring lines between the vessel ii and the shield I0 so that relative vertical and horizontal movement of vessel and shield structures may take place without imposing undue stress upon the towing and steering cables, or upon the shield structures, or vessel. Greater springing effect may be obtained by increasing the weight of the cables, or by employing heavier cables, or by providing weights (not shown) attached to the cables between the vessel and shield structure. It will be observed that the shield structure i@ will be towed through the water by the vessel i i.

l With the vessel II on a straight course andthe The outboard end of the towing cable 3| is con- -nected to the shield lo preferably adjacent the top of the latter and preferably at a region forward of the longitudinal mid-point thereof. 'I'he vcable 3i, as here embodied, terminates at its outboard end in a bridle 35 of which the respective arms are anchored in any suitable fashion to Thus, it will be seen that the bridle 35 permits the shield I0 to be towed much in the fashion in which a kite is towed through the air.` It will be understood, however, that the bridle 35 may be dispensed with, if desired, and the cable 3| directly connected to the shield I0,

The bow steering and towing cable 32 constitutes a running line which runs, as viewed in Fig. 1, forwardly around a bow sheave member 36, thence sternward longitudinally of the shield member III to a stern sheave member 31 and thence around the outboard side thereof to the inboard end of the tiller member 28.

'Ihe stern steering and towing cable 33 also constitutes a running line which, as viewed in Fig. l, runs rearwardly of the vessel I around a sheave member 33 located astern of the point where towing cable 3| joins the shield, thence sternward longitudinally of the shield member i0 parallelly of the cable 32.to the sheave memshield structures at their normal distance from the vessel on a corresponding course in which they generally parallel the vessels keel, the main towing eort is transmitted to the shield structures through the respective towing cables 3|. Should either shield structure work in toward the ship from its normal running position set by the length of the cables, some of the towing effort would be transmitted to the shield structure through its stern steering cable 33. Veerlng of produces a similar effect.

If either the vessel or a shield structure change course in relation to the other, one of the cables 32 and 33 will be slackened and the other tautened. In consequence, the rudder 25 will be moved so as to cause the shield structure speedily to change course sufficiently to reestablish the original course relationship.

For example, assume a starboard turn of vessel II, the cable 32 of the starboard shield will slacken and the stern cable 33 tauten. The cable 33 will exert a direct pull on the shield structure at sheave 33 tending to turn it to starboard. Cable 33 will also move tiller member 28 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. i, the cable 32 having siackened. The rudder 23 is thereby correspondingly moved a sufllcient amount to turn the shield structure promptly into a course paralleling that of the vessel.

Assuming a port turn of the vessel, cable 32 of the starboard shield will tauten and cable 33 will slacken. Cable 32 will exert a direct pull on the shield structure at sheave 36 tending to turn the shield structure to port. The pull of cable 32 will turn rudder 25 -clockwise and the shield structure will be caused to turn to port promptly into a course paralleling that of the vessel. Itis apparent that the port shield structure will be steered so as to obtain a corresponding result.

Should the shield structure deviate in course relative to the vessel, it will automatically be restored to its initial desired course by the action of cables 32 and 33. Thus, the shield structure is self-steering. K

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the shield member I3 comprises an upper web or spar member 43 from which depend the bow and stern anchor frames 4| and I2.

The spar member 4B is preferably constructed of sheet steel and is of shallow depth relative to its length. 'I'he anchor frames 4I and 42 are preferably formed of steel tubing bent into a roughly U-shaped structure which is welded or otherwise suitably anchored at the tube ends to the spar member 40. The front tube of each frame preferably extends downwardly and rearwardly while the rear tube extends vertically downwardly. By this arrangement a stiiIer structure is obtained.

.A net 43 of cable construction is suspended from the spar member 40, the latter being provided with a series of apertures 44 for the reception and anchoring of the various vertical lengths of cable of the net. Further anchoring of the net is effected at bow and stern by fastening the cables of the net to the anchor frames 4| and 42 which may be apertured to receive the various cable ends.

The bottom of the net 43 is also anchored to the anchor frames 4| and 42 and to a cable 45 secured at either end to the anchor frames 4| and 42. The cable 45 assists in maintaining the shield structure in an uprightA position when water-borne. It will be understood that the net 43 may or may not be taut. For example, it may be anchored against the drag of the water at the front only.

Buoyancy means comprising the float sections 46 and. 41 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the spar member 40 and form therewith buoyancy chambers 48 and 43| by which the shield structure is water-home in a substantially awash and vertical position. As in the embodiment oi! Figs. 1-6, inclusive, rupture of the float sections and illling of the compartments 48 and 4l is vdestructive of the buoyancy so that the shield structure will sink Fenders 50 similar tc the fenders 24 are secured to the spar member 40 at suitably spaced intervals and a rudder 5| is mounted on rudder posts.

5|'v carried by the anchor frame 42.

The rudder 5I may be, relatively short since the main rudder action will be with reference to the float structure comprised by the float sections 46-41 and the spar member 40, the balance of the shield structure offering little lateral resistance to the water.

A rudder bar 52 is connected to a tiller member has been described with reference to the ernbodiment of Fig. l.

Thus, it will be seen, that in the embodiment' of the invention depictedin Figs. 7 and 8 there is provided a shield structure which is buoyant, self-steering and possesses the desirable attributes previously referred. In addition it has shield structure having rudder means;

actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course o! said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

2. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising. a buoyant dirigible shield structure having rudder means; and,

means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel said towing cable being anchored to said shield structure forward of the longitudinal mid point of said shield structure.

3. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure having buoyancy compartments providing a negative buoyancy when lled with water and having rudder means; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said` rudder means iny response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

4. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response .to a

change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said.

shield structure from said vessel, said cables being adapted to form a spring-line system between said shield structure and said vessel.

5. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirlglble shield structure having rudder means; and,

means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cableseform-A ing running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel said towing cable being anchored by a bridle member to said shield somewhat less tendency to lateral driftby reason of the open work construction of its major tion of its under water structure. f f

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and de scribed but departures may be made therefrom' within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the por'- structure forward of the longitudinal mid point of said shield structure. v

e. an arm-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure of laminated construction hav- Aing rudder means; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprisingcables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course-of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

7. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a -marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure'of net construction having rudder means; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure having rudder means; and, means for releasably connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said ruddermeans in response to a change in course of said vessel orv f structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure, and a separate cable anchored to said shield structure intermediate the bow and stern cables for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

l0. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a 8. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure at least coextenslve in length and depth with the length and draft respectively of the vessel with which it is to be used, said shield structure having rudder means; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines, with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel. Y

11. An anti-torpedo shield to be used. with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure, said shield structure comprising a shield member, oat sections secured to said shield member and forming watertight buoyancy chambers therewith, a plurality of fender members secured to said shield member, and rudder means carried by said shield member; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shieldstructure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cablefor towing said shield structure from said vessel.

12. An anti-torpedo shield to be usedA with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant dirigible shield structure, said shield structure comprising a shield member of wood laminae adhesively bonded together into an integral structure, float sections secured to said shield' member and forming watertight buoyancy chambers therewith, a plurality of fender members, and rudder means carried by said shield member; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means inresponsegto a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

13. An anti-torpedo shield to be used with a marine vessel comprising a buoyant -dirlgible shield structure, said shield structure comprising a shield member of wood laminas adheslvely bonded together into an integral structure by a synthetic resin adhesive, oat sections secured to said shield member and forming watertight buoyancy chambers therewith, a plurality of fender members, and rudder means carried by said shield member; and, means for connecting said shield structure to said vessel, said means comprising cables forming running lines with said shield structure for actuating said rudder means in response to a change in course of said vessel or said shield structure and a separate cable for towing said shield structure from said vessel.

WADSWORTH W. MOUNT. 

